BEIJING: China is willing to strengthen solidarity with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries and continue supporting each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.
Xi made the remarks when delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing, adding that both sides should enhance communication and coordination on major international and regional issues.
In the next three years, China will invite 300 leading officials of political parties from CELAC member states to visit China every year for the exchange of governance experience, Xi said, noting that China is ready to work with LAC countries to firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law.
China is willing to work with LAC countries to implement the Global Development Initiative, firmly safeguard the multilateral trading system, keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, and safeguard an open and cooperative international environment, Xi said during the remarks. He added that the two sides should strengthen the docking of development strategies and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
He called on the two sides to deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as infrastructure, agriculture and grain, energy and minerals, and expand cooperation in emerging fields such as clean energy, 5G communications, digital economy and artificial intelligence. China will import more high-quality products from LAC countries and encourage Chinese enterprises to expand their investment in the region, Xi said.
Xi also stated that China stands ready to work with LAC countries to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, and uphold the values of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations. China is willing to work with the countries to promote the common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, he noted.
He added that China is willing to enhance collaboration with LAC countries in cultural heritage protection – including joint archaeological research, conservation and restoration of historical sites – and efforts to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property.
China is willing to work with LAC countries to implement the Global Security Initiative, Xi emphasized, noting that both sides should strengthen cooperation in disaster management, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, anti-corruption, drug control and combating transnational organized crime, and strive to maintain regional security and stability.
To facilitate friendly exchanges, China will provide CELAC member states with 3,500 Chinese government scholarships and 10,000 training opportunities in China over the next three years, Xi said, adding that China has decided to offer a visa-free policy to five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and will expand the policy to cover more regional countries in due course.
